Weber Construction is a heavy construction company specializing in excavating, site development, paving, and underground utilities. For more than a decade, the Woodland, California company has grown to 25 full-time employees. With the help of the advanced automated takeoff and estimating software and advance earth-measuring solutions from Maxwell Systems, Weber Construction now competes for (and wins!) top projects in the region.
Challenges
Improve productivity by organizing data, reducing data entry, and automating cut & fill for fast and accurate takeoff and estimating.
Solution
Weber Construction uses Quest Estimator to save money by using 3-D visual assemblies for a detailed and comprehensive graphical checklist of all materials and quantities needed, which makes it easy to identify any mistakes, oversights, and costs before a bid is submitted. The company also uses Quest Earthwork with machine control to easily export data and send it directly to crew in the field.
Results
With Maxwell Systems Quest solutions, Weber Construction achieves better control jobs and exceeds production rates. The company can operate more efficiently, keep labor costs down, and complete more jobs in less time.
A Bumpy Road
Not long after being in business, Weber Construction recognized how disorganized their data was. Their employees were using different software to input data, resulting in multiple entries and lost productivity. In addition, this haphazard system made it difficult to keep track of critical data, and employees wasted valuable time searching for information.
In addition, inaccuracies were a daily dilemma, as estimators measured cut and fill quantities with calculators and spreadsheets. With this method, and lacking a comprehensive view of all jobs, Weber Construction was falling short of its profit potential, which further hindered the company’s ability to compete against already-established contractors.
The company decided to invest in advanced, automated takeoff and estimating software: Maxwell Systems™ Quest Estimator™ and Quest Earthwork™.
Company Takes Off With Software to Build On
Estimator Bryan Weber, explains: “We needed to improve efficiencies and accuracy – to us, getting the right numbers quickly is everything. Maxwell Systems Quest solutions are ideal. Not only a great fit for our type of work, but the software also has great visuals, is easy to use, and their technical support was really helpful.”
Prior to using Maxwell Systems Quest solutions, the estimating department could spend weeks preparing a takeoff and estimating projects manually. Now, they can complete a takeoff within an hour and submit a complete bid within a week. Bryan adds: “My favorite features in the system … working with a clean, detailed database where I can quickly drag and drop items needed on a job, and also the takeoff libraries make life much easier.”
Investing in Innovation
The company continues to use additional features that expand how they use the software. Bryan explains: “We’ve just begun to use the latest version of Quest Earthwork that incorporates machine control. This is a critical part of heavy construction jobs and by using Quest we are better able to control the jobs and exceed our production rates. Before using this software, we had to read stakes, record information, and then stop and tell the workers onsite. Now, we can easily export the data and send it directly to our crew in the field. We can move a lot more efficiently to get the job done, which keeps labor costs down and allows us complete more jobs in less time. That’s a big competitive edge.”
Realizing the value of using Maxwell Systems’ software, Weber Construction also purchased American Contractor™, Maxwell Systems’ business management software solution that delivers robust takeoff and estimating, job cost accounting, project management, and other key business capabilities. They are way beyond being the new contractor in town; Weber Construction has successfully implemented state-of-the-art construction software solutions to maximize productivity and profitability, without having to “reinvent the wheel.”
Best Kept Secret
Implementing Maxwell Systems Quest was a solid investment for Weber Construction, but it’s a secret Bryan would like to keep. “I think this is a huge competitive advantage for us and helps us compete with the big guys. In addition, it’s about job security; I can bid more in less time with awesome accuracy – and control those numbers so I know where we stand at all times.”